North Shore Focus scheduled May 24 at Capitol

HAMMOND – North Shore Focus, a regionally-hosted gathering with state legislators, will be held in the Louisiana Capitol’s Memorial Hall Tuesday, May 24, from 2 to 4 p.m.This is the eighth year for the collaborative advocacy event, designed to provide area business leaders with an opportunity to visit with legislators from across the state and present the North Shore region’s legislative priorities, said Erin Cowser, Southeastern Louisiana University executive director of public and governmental affairs and chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee of the Hammond Chamber of Commerce. “Legislators often tell us that it makes their jobs that much easier when they’re presented with collective plans and priorities,” she said. “While each parish may have its specific needs and wants, collectively as a region what’s good for Tangipahoa is good for Livingston, what’s good for Washington is good for St. Tammany, and vice versa.”Cowser said the event’s list of co-hosts has grown dramatically this year, which in itself is a reflection of the state’s fastest growing region. Co-hosts include the Livingston Economic Development Council, Livingston Chamber of Commerce and Livingston Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau. From St. Tammany Parish are the East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce, St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation, St. Tammany Parish Tourist and Convention Commission, St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce and the Northshore Legislative Alliance.Representing Tangipahoa Parish are the Amite Chamber of Commerce, Hammond Chamber of Commerce, Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Louisiana Business Center, Southeastern Alumni Association, Tangipahoa Economic Development Foundation and the Tangipahoa Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau.Washington Parish co-hosts include the Bogalusa Chamber of Commerce, Franklinton Chamber of Commerce, Washington Economic Development Foundation and Washington Parish Tourism Commission.Chamber members and representatives of the business community are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact the individual chamber offices or the Southeastern Alumni Association at 985-549-2150.